VTA dopamine involvement in energy balance and food reward.

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VTA dopamine involvement in energy balance and food reward.

Zessen, R. van

(2012) Faculty of Medicine Theses

(Master thesis)

Abstract

The mesolimbic dopamine system consists of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and its projections to the limbic system. Dopaminergic (DA) activity is necessary for feeding behaviour, and disruptions of energy balance are correlated with changes in the mesolimbic dopamine system. In states of negative energy balance dopaminergic signalling to food ... read more reward is increased, while during obesity dopaminergic mediated signaling is decreased. Midbrain VTA neurons are modulated by different inputs relating to energy balance and feeding behaviour. Among these, lateral hypothalamus (LH) and arcuate nucleus, areas that are known to be involved in feeding behaviour and satiety, project to the VTA and change activity in the VTA. Peptide hormones that are involved in energy balance, including leptin and ghrelin also have direct effects in the VTA. Food is a natural reward, and the implication of the VTA in feeding behaviour and energy balance is also supported from what is known about the VTAs role in reward signaling. Finally, to fully understand the role of the VTA in feeding behaviour and energy balance it is necessary to correlate its activity directly to changes in feeding behaviour or energy balance. In vivo eletrophysiological recordings provide an adequate tool to study these changes in VTA DA neuronal firing. The combined use of optogenetics will allow for a strong tool to identify VTA DA neurons. Importantly it will also provide for means to directly control VTA DA neuronal activity and study the effects on feeding behaviour. show less

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